Extractable soil nutrient effects on feed quality traits of crop residues in the semiarid rainfed mixed crop–livestock farming systems of Southern India

Abstract

In the mixed crop-livestock systems, while general relation among feed quality, productivity and soil nutrient management have been reported, information on the effects of extractable soil nutrients on crop residue (CR) feed quality traits is scarce (e.g. in semiarid regions of Karnataka, India). In view of the increasingly important role of CR as feed components, in these farming systems, generating such information is a relevant research issue for sustainable development. Here, we report the occurrence and strength of relationships among extractable nutrients in soils and CR feed quality traits, and the effects of improved nutrients input on feed availability and feed quality of CR. Soil samples were collected from farmers' fields in the semiarid zone of Karnataka and analyzed for available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) using standard laboratory methods. Soil test results were clustered as low, medium or high based on the level of nutrient concentration. Four major farming systems involving nine crops and 419 farms were selected for on-farm trials. Under every sample farm, a plot with farmer's practice (control) and improved fertilizer inputs (combined application of nutrients found deficient by soil testing) were laid. Performance of crops was recorded. Samples were collected for

Farmers perception and utilization status of improved forages grown in the natural resource areas of northwestern Ethiopia

“…Generally, even where farms were small, farmers may allocate a small portion of their plot to irrigated fodder where market linkages wereproper. Demonstrate irrigated fodder (integrate fodder in small-scale irrigation) (Haileslassie et al 2012).…”

Soil Amendments for Sustainable Intensification

“…The implication of such nutrient deficiencies is most often perceived in their impacts on reduced grain production and quality, but the outcome of soil nutrient depletion in crop-livestock faming system in the drylands is far beyond. It affects livestock feed quantity and quality (Haileslassie et al 2011(Haileslassie et al , 2013Blümmel et al 2009a, b). Crop residues are important feed components in the croplivestock systems, and the effects of improved nutrients input on feed availability and feed quality are very important.…”

“…Improved fertilizer inputs affect crop residue yield and the quality. It increases metabolizable energy (ME) productivity (ME ha -1 ) and thereof the potential milk yield ha -1 by as high as 40% (Haileslassie et al 2013). Thus, adding deficient micro and secondary nutrient inputs on crop land positively impacts productivity of the crop production and livestock compartment of mixed crop-livestock farming system and quality of the food and diversity of diets.…”

Building soil health, improving carbon footprint and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions through CSR.

“…In view of the increasingly important role of crop residue as feed components. the effects of soU health building through nutrient balancing on feed availability and feed quality are very important and show up in potential milk yield per ha by as high as 40% (Haileslassie et at, 2013). The role of soU health building in enhancing food quantity and quality and helping individuals and communities to build sustainable food security is well demonstrated in Karnataka, India .…”